The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-04-27
A JOCKEYS TERRIBLE DEATH.
Alfred Torrance, a WelI.KnOwn Ameri-
can Rider, Killed on a Race.Track.

A11Ecu AOEEduCeg q Hc1l.hnOWu AAoHA-
can Rider, Killed on a Race.Track.
A Paris dispatch of April Is to the New
York Herald says: A shocking accident oc-
CURED yesterday at Croix de Berry, when
Mr.. Alfred Torrance, the well-kncwn
American gentleman riderSfeli with his
horse during a race and was instantly
killed. Croix de Berry is one of the most
picturesque spots in the environs of Paris.
1t Is few miles west of the B0is de BOu-
logne, and it has long been celebrated as
the scene of the yearly cross-country meet
ing of gentleman riders, which constitutes
the most fashionable and most select turf
event in France. Croix de Berry is to the
Grand Prix what the Sandown Park meet
ings are to the Derby.
Yesterday long rows of mail-coaches and
smartly-appointed private equipages were
drawn up opposite the weighing paddock.
All the grand danes of the Faubourg st.
German, radiant in spring toilets, hun
dreds of officers in the dazzling sky-blue
and scarlet uniforms of the French cavalry,
members of the Jockey Club; in a word,
all that makes up the ultra-fashionable
world of Paris, watched with intense en-
thusiasm the gentleman riders. 1t was
beautiful spring day. The sound of pop
ping champagne co1ks resembled the
steady roll of distant musketry, and was
only interrupted by the soprano notes of
the young ladies as they offered to lay doz-
ems Of pairs of gloves on their favorite.
The excitement was at its highest pitch
when the bell rang for the third race,
steeple-chase handicap for 5000 francs over
a chase of 5000 meters with very stiff OBJ
stacles. Mr.. Terrence had as a mount the
mare Cable, who was second favorIte in
the betting, the odds being three to one
against Cable. Eleven horses ran, and OF
this five fell or bolted before the last jump
from home was reached. Mir. Torrance was
riding beautifully, and was rapidly gaining
on the first horse, and seemed certain to
win the race. at the last ditch Clovis rid
den by Mr.. Brockwell, fell, and Cable,
coming over Immediately behind, was also
brought down. Mr.. Torrance fell so that
unfortunately he lay sandwiched in be-
tween the two horses. His chest was
crushed by the force OF the shock, and this
was not all, for Clovis began kicking, and
his off hind hoof struck Mr.. Torrance in
the back of the neck, breaking the verte-
bral column.
Mr.. Torrance was seen to raise his arms
and place his hands to the back of his head.
Before his friends, who rushed from the
neutrality-suspicious., could reach him life
was extinct. He must have been killed
instantly by the crushing of his chest; and
the movement Of his arms to the back of
his neck was probably a nervous con-
traction of the muscles, caused by the
breaking of the vertebral column.
All his ribs were broken, and his chest
was like one mass of Jelly. His head re-
manned attached to the BODY merely by
the skin and tendons, and when the body
was raised from the ground by the stew
ards the head fell and hung down the back
as if it was held simply by a string. The
sight was most CHASTITY. The utmost con-
sternation prevailed in the stands, and
seven ladies tainted away. MIR. Torrance's
lifeless body was taken to a country inn
near the course and placed on a bed,
whence it was brought to mis- apartment
in Paris